St. Lucie County commission opponents have much in common

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Although they are opponents in the Nov. 6 election for the County Commission District 5 seat, Bobby Hopkins and Kim Johnson actually have a lot in common.

Both are former football players. Both are devout Christians. And both never have served in public office.

Still, both believe their different backgrounds and experiences make them the better man for the job.

Republicans chose Hopkins over two other candidates in Tuesday's primary election with more than 44 percent of countywide votes, or 7,260 of 16,428 votes, while Democrats chose Johnson over three other candidates with nearly 43 percent of countywide votes, or 6,633 of 15,550 votes.

This is Hopkins' second attempt after a failed bid for the seat in the 2008 primary. It's Johnson's first time running for public office.

Hopkins, a 55-year-old plastering contractor, said his business experience sets him apart from Johnson.

"I've always had to work real hard," he said. "But it's been rewarding on the other end because it really has helped me."

His background includes playing for the U.S. Football League until 1985, competing in arm wrestling until 2005 — winning several titles, including a world championship — and being a plastering contractor for the past 31 years where he has worked with developers, designers and project managers. He is the owner of DeBartolo Stucco and Drywall in Fort Pierce.

"I'm used to making things that look kind of rough turn into something really nice," Hopkins said.

He also has been a pastor in the county for the past few years, mentored kids weekly by praying with and talking to them, and worked with local programs, such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

Hopkins, who was born in Baltimore but later moved to the area, graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School and now lives in Lakewood Park. He said the fact that he has lived in the county for the past 41 years also sets him apart.

"I've lived in this county for as long as (Johnson's) been (alive)," Hopkins said. "I love my community. It's a difference when I speak because I'm talking from my heart. I really want to make changes in our community. And I've been making changes in people's lives all the time."

His opponent would argue he's doing the same.

Johnson, a 41-year-old motivational speaker, said his background in social work sets him apart from Hopkins.

"I have a proven track record of solving social problems without getting paid for it," Johnson said. "I've been able to not only help here in my area but I've been able to help people in different parts of the United States solve problems and better their schools, better their houses and better their communities."

His past work history includes working for a company that provided services to people who are mentally or physically disabled and putting together a budget for the state money the company received. He also taught at Southern Oaks Middle School and coached football and track at St. Lucie West Centennial, coordinated programs that helped parents go back to school and get job training, and traveled across the county to middle and high schools as a motivational speaker.

"I may not have worked for the government, but I've worked with the government," Johnson said. "I'm out to solve problems that have been there for years, but I haven't been here for years to solve those problems."

He said he has helped social groups in areas such as Missouri and Arkansas, worked with the National Youth Sports Program, dealt with an organization that focused on getting teenagers off the streets and counseled middle school kids who came from homes with substance abuse problems. He also played football in junior college.

Johnson, a Fort Pierce native who left the area after he graduated from Fort Pierce Westwood High School, moved back in 2010. He now lives off Kings Highway.

"I'm running for office because I care enough about my hometown," he said. "I saw some problems that needed to be solved, and I felt like I could do it."

Campaign contributions collected before the primary election aren't much of an indication of who would win the general election, regardless of the fact that Hopkins' amount was more than double Johnson's amount.

Hopkins, who opened his campaign account in January, raised $7,375 and spent $7,085. He also loaned himself $2,000.

"If people are giving me campaign contributions, they're liking who I am and want to see me in office," Hopkins said. "People have a respect for who I am and really believe in what I bring to the table."

His opponent said "the relationship value is more important than the money value." Johnson, who opened his campaign account in April, raised $3,665 and spent $3,515. He also loaned himself $71.

"It doesn't bother me that he's raising more money than me," he said. "It's about how much capital you raise in people's hearts and heads."